11 week
Fernie Snowboard Instructor Course
With an unrivalled package and an amazing location, our Fernie 11 week snowboard instructor course is the most popular course of its kind.
Fernie is the ideal place to train as instructor with unrivalled terrain and conditions
As soon as we experienced Fernie we knew that it would be the ideal location to spend a season becoming a snowboard instructor. The resort comprises five bowls, with the longest vertical drop in the Canadian Rockies, but it's the massive annual snowfall along with it’s the expanse of ungroomed terrain that really sets Fernie apart. You can pick a powder-filled path anywhere within this massive in-bounds area, with a variety of open bowls, tree runs, natural hits and gullies.
Our 11 week Fernie course is the most polular snowboard instructor course of all time
Instantly fit into a group of like minded people - on and off the hill.
Our Fernie 11 week course is the most popular program of its kind on the market. This means that you’ll have a massive group of instant friends as soon as you arrive in town. Also, with training groups kept to an absolute maximum of 8 people, we split our snowboarders into several groups of similarly skilled riders, so you’ll never feel like you’re held back or holding back others.
Our instructors are hand-picked so that you learn from the best in the business
We have an amazing team of high level snowboard instructors in Fernie, many of which have been with us since the very beginning. They'll spend over 220 hours on the slope with you, and plenty more off it, refining your technique and showing you the very best areas of the mountain. Of course, we’ll also teach you how to pass on your skills to others, in preparation for your CASI level 1 & 2 instructor qualifications, plus, if you choose to take it, your Level 1 park exam. Meet a few of our instructors in this short video.
In Ryan we trust - A course director with a wealth of experience
We’re incredibly lucky to have Ryan Frazer as our Technical Director in Fernie. His snowboarding CV is crammed with achievements, being a Level 4 instructor and Level 2 examiner with a massive amount of freestyle, slalom and competitive boardercross experience. As well as being one of your instructors, Ryan will always be on hand to make sure that you are happy and fully supported on the course.
Get instructing experience on this course
For several years now, we have proudly been running “Community Days” in Fernie. These take place between CASI Level 1 and Level 2 exams, and allow you to get real hands-on instructing experience. We give under-privileged locals the opportunity to get free equipment hire, lift passes and instruction for the day. As newly qualified instructors, you then take the helm of your own lessons! This is an amazing experience to have on your CV, and one that will be very useful when you come to applying for your first snowboard instructor job. Watch this video about our Community Days.
If you've got no intention of instructing after the course, check out our "AMP" program
Not everyone comes on a snowboard instructor course to actually become an instructor, and we have the perfect alternative if that’s the case for you. After you've completed your Level 1 exams in week 5 you can opt to join our "AMP" program for the remainder of the course. With AMP, you'll spend six weeks honing your riding skills, while still working towards specific goals, without having to worry about Level 2 teaching training. Watch a video about our AMP program here.
Powder days are abundant in Fernie, with an average of 48cm of snow falling per week over the winter!
This isn't just any instructor course - with us you'll experience far more!
Extra activities with Nonstop.
We want to make sure that you have the season of your life and have an amazing time both on and off the mountain. Nonstop offer More - a packed program of weekend trips, extra mountain training and evening social events. What’s more though, we’ll start you off with 25 "Activity Credits." With these you’ll be able to experience amazing new mountain activities, from cat-boarding, to winter camping, to curling! Check out a full list of activities below.
Extra Activities In Fernie
Here are a list of activities that you can take part in with our "Activity Credit" scheme.
- Avalanche safety training (AST level 1)
- Overnight trip to Calgary
- Guided backcountry skiing
- Day trip to Kimberley
- Big Mountain day trip - USA
- Weekend trip to Big Mountain and Whitefish, USA
- Weekend trip to Red Mountain
- Cat-boarding
- Snowmobiling
- Dog-sledding
- Winter first aid
- Winter camping
The perfect home for the season
You’re going to spend the best part of the season in resort, so we want to make sure that you can relax and feel at home. In 2007 we bought our own 42 bedroom lodge in Fernie, and renovated it specifically to be the perfect course accommodation. The en-suite rooms are spacious with queen-sized beds and onsite facilities including a games room, sauna, hot tub, movie room, restaurant, bar and kit tuning room, as well as several communal kitchens and lounges. As an alternative, for those looking for a more independent experience, we also have several shared houses around downtown Fernie.
A lot of bang for your buck
We pride ourselves on the quality of our courses and have created a package that will give you the ultimate season. The key things that we've included are listed below.
The Package
Included:
11 consecutive weeks of training (with no breaks)
On every week of the 11 week course you'll receive top class coaching all day from Monday to Thursday. Our coaches are not only the top of their profession but are great people who will inspire you as well as becoming friends. Further training hours include indoor technical sessions, video play back, private lessons, instructor work experience, and our additional training courses.
1-to-1 private coaching sessions
These are run before your Level 1 and Level 2 exams and offer you the chance of individual tuition to iron out any problems you may have.
25 Activity Credits
Choose from a host of great activities like Avalanche training, winter camping, trips to other resorts and a whole lot more. Please refer to the 'extra activities' page for more information.
Guaranteed instructor job interview and priority hiring.
By successfully qualifying as an instructor with us you are eligible for a guaranteed job interview with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, who give priority to Nonstop graduates when hiring.
Full season lift pass for 4 resorts
The RCR season pass includes Fernie, Kicking Horse, Kimberley and Nakiska.
Accommodation
We have two great accommodation options. The first at our purpose built "Red Tree Lodge". Alternatively we have several houses in the immediate vicinity, for those wanting a more independent experience.
Dinners
Served four nights per week. Meals are healthy and hearty to help you recharge after a day of lessons.
Continental breakfast
Served five days per week
Lift queue priority during lessons
Airport transfers (if coinciding with group flights)
We include a shuttle service between the airport and the resort. The departure date and times are coordinated with the times of the group flights we arrange from London to Canada. If travelling at other times or on different dates then we can advise you on the public transfer services available.
Shuttle to the resort
We own our own buses in Fernie and provide a weekday morning and afternoon shuttle to/from the resort.
24 hour staffing
Course centre
Level 1 CSIA/CASI examination fees
Training for CSIA/CASI Level 2 Instructor Certification
If becoming an instructor is your goal you should set your sights on gaining your level 2. We'll train you up to take the level 2 course either at the end of the 11 weeks or you can take it just after the course has ended giving you more time to train and prepare.
Video analysis
A great tool which we use on a weekly basis. The resorts have some great feedback facilities.
Weekly technical sessions
Work experience in local ski school
Once you have gained your Level 1 you are able to gain work experience at the local ski school. This will make your CV stand out from the crowd and also allow you to develop your teaching technique - an all round good experience.
Instructor career advice
During the course there will be a seminar on working as a ski instructor covering job applications, work visas and typical hours and wages. In addition you will receive our 40 page advice handbook on "working as an instructor" which includes a directory of snow schools around the world.
Day trip to Kimberley Ski Resort
As part of the Fernie 11 week course we will take the whole group, plus their instructors, to a local ski resort called Kimberley. It's a great road trip and a good chance to ride some new slopes and experience a new ski resort.
Ski/snowboard maintenance tuition
Weekly social events
Farewell party
10% Discount on meals at resort restaurants
A 10% discount is available in Fernie to Nonstop clients at the resort day lodge (cafeteria) and also after 6pm, Mon - Wed, at Kelseys, a smarter on-mountain restaurant.
10% Discount on Ski/Snowboard Equipment
Available in several local shops.
Optional extras:
Flights
We arrange return flights on Air Canada for those travelling between the UK and Canada. Flights cost from £600. You can opt for a flight on your booking form. If you arrange your own flight you can meet us at the airport for the group transfer bus to the resort. Please contact us with any questions.
Additional Activity Credits
The activity credit experiences are a key part of the 11 week course and form some of the main highlights of your trip. $250 worth of credit activities will be included in the cost of the course, however if you want to pack your season full of trips to other resorts, additional training courses, and new experiences such as dog sledding, cat-skiing, snowmobiling, etc. you can choose to buy additional credits at $10/credit. Make sure you check out all the information on the "Extra Activities" page. You can either pay for the additional credits when you book your course or when you get to Canada you can sign up for just a few select activities that you really want to experience.
Cat-skiing
This is a highlight of most people's trips to Canada and is available in the 'Credit Activities' package.
Evening classes
There are a range of evening classes available from sports massage to photography. These cost around $70 - $120 depending on the course. Details will be provided in the lead up to the course.
Not included:
Travel insurance
We can provide some information on suitable cover upon booking.
Ski/snowboard kit
If you don't yet own equipment it tends to be cheaper to buy rather than rent. We have arranged discounts in local stores - plus you'll get much better advice and service in the resort you do your course in. Skis, bindings, poles and ski boots range from $1,100 (£700 approx) - $2,800 (£1,800 approx). Snowboard, boots and bindings will be slightly less.
Lunches and weekend meals
Spending money
Typical costs: Lunch: $15, Dinner: $15-35. Pint of beer: $5.50. Glass of wine: $7.
Additional instructor level exam fees
The Level 1 exam fee is included, but because not everyone chooses to take further instructor exams their fees are payable in Canada direct to the governing bodies. The Level 2 exam will be approx. $550 - $650 depending on when you book and the Race Coach and Park courses are approx. $300 each. The training for these additional courses is included.
Want to know more?
Week 1
Settling in, shopping & riding
Week 2
Lose bad habits & adjusting stance
Week 3
Level 1 prep & private lessons
Week 4
Off-piste skills & Level 1 practice
Week 5
Level 1 exams & celebrations!
Decision time
Chose Level 2 or AMP path
Week 6
Level 2 training / speed & carving
Week 7
Powder, bumps & short radius turns
Week 8
Level 2, all-mountain & freestyle
Week 9
Demo teaching, tree runs & drops
Week 10
Condensed Level 2 & tight lines
Week 11
Level 2 exams, riding & partying!
Latest photos from @NonstopFernie: 
